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A few weeks ago this was one of the Inquisitor clues:

Case involving former taxmen is cloudy (7)

The theme of the puzzle meant that several clues included the letters RAT, and I worked out that it was likely to be IR (Inland Revenue) inside CRATE (case), giving CIRRATE. I knew about "cirrus" clouds so guessed that CIRRATE probably meant "cloudy", and entered it. It turned out to be correct and I thought no more of it at the time.

But CIRRATE doesn't mean "cloudy". It's a biological term meaning "equipped with a cirrus", or tentacle. The adjective corresponding to cirrus clouds is "cirrous" or "cirrose" (either of which can confusingly also mean the same as CIRRATE). I have checked in multiple sources, including the OED Online, and can find no suggestion that CIRRATE is related to cirrus clouds.

This isn't the first time I've seen questionable definitions in the Inquisitor, yet no one ever seems to comment on them - indeed one solver on Fifteensquared said that CIRRATE was one of his first answers in. How does this sort of stuff get through the editorial process, and why don't solvers seem to spot it?

Hi GuyBarry,

Chambers gives "cirrate" as "like a cirrus" which in turn means "the highest form of clouds".

Hi Guy, it’s listed under the cloud definition in Chambers and these guys use Chambers as their bible so if it’s in there then they’ll go with it.

Well, Chambers is wrong then. I've noticed this before - dodgy definitions being justified by "it's in Chambers".

I think that any definition used in a clue should be checked against at least two different sources. Otherwise it's not fair on those of us who don't have the same source as the setter.

From The Free Dictionary - As far as I'm aware the internet's No 1 Online dictionary:-

cir·rate (sîr′āt′)
adj. Biology
Having or resembling a cirrus or cirri.

Correct. In the biological sense!

You dare blaspheme against Chambers? @GuyBarry : )

I did a thorough internet search to see whether "cirrate" had ever been used in the sense of "cloudy", and drew a complete blank. If anyone can find me an actual source where the word is used in that sense, then I'll buy them a virtual pint :-)

That's not the first error I've found that has been ascribed to Chambers. I've never used it, partly for reasons like that one.

It bothers me somewhat that crossword setters are happy to use such an unreliable source, assuming that solvers are going to use it as well. I'd expect higher standards.

I admire your passion Guy 😜

Maybe you'd like to sign up for Pedants United, Guy!